Walker Brigade - Book of Incidents

"So, how are you doing, Max?" Becky whispered in my ear, placing her hand on my shoulder.

"I'll be okay, how about you?" I patted her hand as she sat down next to me at the table.

"I'll be fine. I need a drink." I raised my hand and a steward was next to us asking Becky what she would like to drink, and then hurried away.

"It's really nice to be on a Navy ship. On our own ships, we would have to get our own drinks."

"Yep. You know you could always transfer to the Navy if that's your dream." I got a whack in the arm for that statement, so I shut up.

"How's Jolene doing?" I asked Becky.

"She'll make it. She's a trooper, and the promotion did her good, too. How long have you been holding that?"

"I wasn't holding it. The Captain made the decision on her promotion when we were talking about the service for Fletch. He asked me about my TOC and if there were any promotions due. I told him that Jolene had been acting in a role one grade higher than she was. He had the orders typed up, and signed them in lieu of a convening authority. It will be rubber stamped by Pacifica once they receive them, and Jolene's accrued pay will be adjusted to her new pay grade.

"She should have a hefty sum to return to. The Captain backdated the orders to the day she assumed her role, plus, the recognition of her rank now, instead of when we get back to base on Pacifica."

"That's good, that's very nice of the Captain to do. But won't he get a letter about bypassing the chain of command?" Becky asked.

"He may but I doubt it. I don't even think it will raise any eyebrows back on Pacifica. And if it does, my father will silence any complaints, no doubt. After all, he wants to keep us happy, so we won't complain too loud about doing his bidding."

"There is that. By the way, where were we headed when we dropped out? I was put into cold-sleep so fast I never found out where the ship was headed." Becky took a big gulp of her drink.

"Pacifica." Becky almost spewed her drink all over the place. I smiled at her and winked.

"Ok, then where will we be headed now?"

"Pacifica. But it will be a while before the jump sequence can be calculated for us to proceed. Time enough for us to get fat, happy and sloppy." I smiled as I took a swig of my drink.

"I don't know about fat but happy and sloppy, maybe. Oh, by the way, I'm going to let Jolene have my quarters tonight, so I'll be bunking with you." She looked at me sideways, a happy little smirk on her face as she broke this news to me.

It had been a long time since we had shared a bed, maybe too long. Or it could be the drink. Whatever the reason, I was glad to hear she wanted me, because I wanted her. Getting up, she kissed my head and wandered away to enjoy the flirting of the Navy personnel. Jolene had broken away from the Captain, and came over and sat down next to me. Placing her hand on my leg, she leaned in and kissed my cheek, giving my leg a squeeze.

"Thanks, Chief, for everything," she said, then jumped up and went to the bar to get another drink, leaving me bewildered and super horny.

Jolene may not be a supermodel type like Becky, but she was not without her beauty and charms. She did have a voice when used the right way, that could make a dead man hard, and she was very good looking.

"No problem," I muttered as I sat there trying to adjust myself without being suspicious. Damn, it was getting to where I was even having thoughts about Jolene in my bed. Or could that be a residual from Becky? We had found that if she and I were both slightly in the cups that I could pick up what she was thinking. Maybe that's why she was always surrounded by ratings at any bar we went to.

"Chief, why aren't you out dancing? I have a lot of pretty ratings you could be rubbing up against." The Captain plopped down in the chair next to me. "Would you mind if I asked that pretty little Second to dance?"

"Not at all, Captain, not at all." He slapped me on the back, jumped up and almost ran across the room to pull Becky away from the ratings at the bar. Now that Becky was gone, all the attention turned to Jolene. She was smiling and giggling like a schoolgirl from all the attention the ratings were paying her. She would probably have one or two of them in her bed tonight. I shook my head to clear it of the images that exploded in my brain. Damn it, Becky!

* * * Jolene Akers

When Becky led me away from the service, I had no intention of going to the celebration. I thought that it was ridiculous to have a party after someone died. I know the tradition was to celebrate their life not their death, but how could I have a good time while I was in mourning for someone I loved? It took a while for us to get to the squad bay, and I just wanted to lie down in my bunk and have a good cry, not get ready to party.

Entering the squad bay, Becky steered me toward her quarters, closed, and locked the door. Turning me around, she pushed me down on her bunk. Lying down beside me, she took me in her arms, hugging me to her.

"Let it out, Jo." She kissed my forehead and stroked my hair as the tears came welling up in my eyes.

Sobs racked my body as the grief washed over me. I would miss those nights spent in Fletch's arms, his warm body pressed against mine. I don't know how much time passed as I lost my mind in the turmoil of grief. The next thing I remember was the warm, soft body pressed against mine, the light touch of soft lips on the skin of my neck, sending shivers down my spine. The hands slowly, softly, rubbing my back, draining the tension out of my muscles. Bringing my head up, I stared into Becky's eyes as she pressed her lips to mine.

I didn't jump back, as I thought I would. I had never kissed another woman before, and truly thought I would never do it at all. Her lips were so soft and yielding, her body warm against mine. I closed my eyes wrapping my arms around her. Her tongue darted out touching my lips sending a tingling through my body. My breathing became labored, and I could feel my heart racing in my chest as I opened my mouth to let her tongue caress my teeth and dance with my tongue. Time was lost for us for a while.

"Better?" Becky asked. Before I could answer, her lips pressed against mine.

"Get dressed, Jo, and we'll make our appearance for Fletch," she told me sometime later. She was smiling down at me as she picked herself up off me. Leaning down, she kissed me again. I was bewildered as I sat up on the bed, pulling my t-shirt down and buttoning my uniform tunic.

"Becky, did the Chief tell you to do this?"

"No, Jo. I did it because you looked like you needed it, and I like you. I hope I haven't upset you." She had a look of concern on her face.

"No, not at all," she muttered.

Standing, I grabbed her and pulled her to me. She was so beautiful. Closing my eyes, I leaned in and kissed her hard on the lips. Her arms came up, wrapping me in her embrace, kissing me back. Breaking the kiss, I took a step back to look at her. She smiled, then reached out and stroked my cheek with her soft hands.

"We'll have to finish this some other time, Jo. You need to get ready for the party."

"Some other time then, Becky, that's a promise."

I ducked into the bathroom, straightened my hair and face, brushed off my uniform, and took a pee. I then joined Becky for the trip to the mess. As we entered the mess, the Captain shoved a drink in my hand and pulled me out on the dance floor. It was then non-stop dancing for me as every rating in the mess grabbed me and took a spin.

I broke away from my dance partners and stopped by the Chief's table. I thanked him for everything and gave his cheek a kiss. I think I shocked him judging by the look on his face as I hurried to the bar. As I stood there taking deep gulps of my drink, several ratings, two men and a woman, pressed in to keep me company. I could honestly say I was enjoying myself.

Becky walked to the bar. We were talking when the Captain whisked her away for a turn on the dance floor. I spotted the Chief sitting alone at a table staring at me. I raised my glass in his direction with a smile and he smiled back and nodded.

At that point, I knew everything was going to be all right with me.

* * * Becky Latham

When we finally made it to the Chief's quarters, I was really, really drunk. I was laughing and giggling as I stripped down and flopped on the bed. Max was looking at me with disappointment on his face as he stripped down to the buff. Ducking into the head, he was now out of sight. The giggles quieted down and I became somber as I lay there waiting for him to return. My gut was churning with want and desire. My loins were burning with a sexual charge that had been there since my little tryst with Jolene. I needed a man, my man.

"Hurry up in there!" I shouted.

I laid back, my hand caressing my body. I closed my eyes as my finger found that perfect spot, sending an electric charge through me. In my mind's eye, I thought of Max, his lips kissing me on that perfect spot.

With a roar, the door to the head flew open, and Max launched himself toward the bed.

"Stop that, Becky!" he shouted, as his mouth went to that perfect spot.

Propping himself up on his elbow Max looked down at me.

"Just once I would like to take the initiative in the sex department."

"Well, then, don't drink," I suggested smiling up at him. He kissed me gently on my lips, his tongue flicking out for just a split second. A moan escaped from deep within my chest as he flopped down next to me and pulled me to him. Sleep overtook us within minutes.

6.02.0093/13

* * * Max Jones

I had made my way back to the mess, head pounding from last night, to get a cup of coffee and a little something to eat. I thought if I replaced some of the calories I had expended last night, it might make me feel better. Becky came straggling in as I was on my second cup of coffee.

"Gawd, I feel awful," she said as she plopped down at my table. She turned ever so slowly and signaled the steward for a coffee.

"You look awful, too." I smiled at her as she smiled weakly at me.

"You don't look so hot yourself, Chief," she said, sticking her tongue out at me.

The steward appeared with her coffee and set it down in front of her. She smiled up at him and thanked him profusely. She took a big swig of the hot, black liquid, and sighed with pleasure as it burned its way down her throat.

"Why do you do that to yourself?" I asked.

"It doesn't bother me. The coffee isn't really that hot. And it tastes so good when it's fresh and piping hot." She smiled at me as she took another long pull.

"Well, have at it then."

"Is there any word on the jump sequence?"

"Just that's it's being figured out. The Navigator knows where in the galaxy we are now; it's just that it's not near any known jump points. So, here we sit waiting on the NavComp to calculate a jump sequence from an unknown jump point. It could take days, even weeks, or be ready tomorrow, from what the Captain says." I smiled at her.

"Good, I don't have to jump back into cold sleep."

We both fell silent as we drank our coffee. The steward came by and refilled both our cups. Becky ordered toast and eggs. We sat there looking into each other's eyes. I could tell she was trying to communicate something to me, as I felt a little tickle at the back of my head. Not on the outside, but inside my skull, I just smiled at her and winked.

"You didn't get it, did you?" she asked.

"No, thank god. I could tell you were trying to send something, but I couldn't see what it was." My smile got bigger, peace at last. I had been up all night doing things to her, everything she could think of, I did. It was as if I had no control over myself. I was glad to see her control over me had ended after we fell asleep.

"I just thought I would try. Too bad I can't receive your thoughts, then you could tell me what to do." She smiled at me letting me know she would be willing to do whatever I could think up.

"We'll see," was all I said.

"What's on the agenda until jump time?" she asked.

"Just some mandatory exercise time so we won't get too soft," I told her.

Her breakfast showed up, and she ate in silence while I drank my coffee. Jolene was next to show up, and after seeing how drunk she appeared when she left the mess last night, I was surprised how good she looked this morning. She plopped down next to Becky grabbing her coffee cup and in one gulp drank the whole thing. She signaled the steward for two cups of coffee.

"Morning, Chief, how they hangin'?" She was bright and chipper.

"Just fine, thanks," I answered as the steward set down the two new cups of coffee for Becky and Jo.

"So, did you have a good time last night, Jo?" Becky asked her.

"Sure did. It was fantastic." Jo slapped Becky on the back and laughed out loud. She looked really good, relaxed and happy.

"Good. Good for you." Becky leaned over and gave her a quick hug and a peck on the cheek.

"What's the word, Chief?" Jolene asked.

"It will be posted at twelve hundred hours in the squad bay," I told her.

A cute blond rating trudged into the mess. Her face lit up when she spotted Jolene. Becky noticed her hesitation to join us and nudged Jo in the ribs, pointing to the rating.

"Excuse me," she said as she grabbed her coffee and headed off toward the rating. They both sat at a table not too far away and started talking and giggling. Becky giggled at the look on my face.

"What's the problem, Chief?" she asked smiling at me.

"Nothing, nothing at all." I wasn't going to let her get to me this morning.

"Chief Jones?" Turning, I saw a junior officer with an armband that had the letters "OOD" stenciled on it trying to hand me an envelope.

"What is it, son?" I said.

"With the Captain's compliments, Chief." He again tried to hand me the envelope, this time I took it from him.

"You can go, son," I said to him, as he just stood there waiting.

"I was told to wait for an answer, sir."

"Damn!" I ripped open the envelope pulling out the paper inside. It was a handwritten note from the Captain. He wanted me to join him in his ready room as soon as possible. He also wanted me to bring Becky.

"I have a stylus, sir." I took it from him as he extended it to me. Turning the paper over I wrote that we would be there in twenty minutes' that we needed time to freshen up a little after last night. I folded the paper, put it in the envelope and handed it back to the officer.

"Thank you, sir," he said, turning and hurrying off to deliver the message.

"We have to go," I said to Becky as I stood. She gulped down the last of her coffee and followed me out of the mess.

* * * Max Jones

We arrived at the Captain's ready room in fifteen minutes. I knocked on the door and waited for an answer. The door opened a crack to show a female rating who peeked out at us. When she saw who it was, she pulled the door completely open.

"Come in, please," she said, looking up and down the corridor to see if there was anyone else out there.

Stepping into the ready room, Becky and I found ourselves surrounded by four others, the Captain, the Chief Master at Arms, the female rating and Chrispin Alabaster. Becky started to say something, but I signaled her to be silent. The Captain looked up from Alabaster, who was quite drunk from the look of things, as we entered. He came over to us.

"Second Latham, can you transmit while not in hyperspace?"

"Uh," Becky looked at me before she answered. I nodded at her to answer, "Yes, sir."

"I thought that might be the case. Ok, I want you to make him believe he is drinking with friends and get him bragging about his exploits if you can."

"I can try, Captain."

"Good, that's all we can ask, for to you try." The Captain moved out of her way so she could go over and sit with Alabaster.

"Hi, there, do you mind if I have a drink with you, Mr. Alabaster?" Becky asked him sweetly. His eyes lit up when he saw her standing there.

"Sure, little darlin', have a seat, here you go," he replied as he poured her a drink.

She downed it in one gulp and slammed the glass back down on the table. Alabaster laughed as he poured her another drink, then slugged back his.

"Well done, little missy, well done," he laughed, as he poured more of the amber liquid into the glasses.

"Should the rest of the men join us, Mr. Alabaster?" Becky asked him, as she swept her arm around the room.

"Why not, it's good to have friends to drink with." Alabaster took four more glasses and filled them with liquor, motioning for us to take them.

"To Empire!" Becky shouted.

"To Empire!" Alabaster replied and slugged his drink back. He fell silent, staring into his empty glass.

"You know, I almost had mine, my empire. But you fucking Marines ruined that!" Alabaster was looking around at us as Becky was leaning in toward him.

Alabaster was now holding his head in his hands as he stared back into Becky's eyes. The two held that pose for a long time. No words were spoken, but you could see shivers run up Alabaster's back as he was held in Becky's thrall. Tears started to leak out of his eyes and whimpers came from his throat.

"All right, all right, I'll tell you what you want to know, just don't hurt me." His shoulders slumped and his head fell in resignation. The Captain stepped up to the table and helped Becky to her feet.

"You and the Chief wait outside, in case we need you again. Across the hall are my quarters, I'll have the steward bring you something to eat and drink." He was pushing us toward the door as he spoke.

Becky and I moved across the passageway into the Captain's quarters. Within minutes, the Steward was there with sandwiches and cold drinks. Becky plopped down in a chair looking exhausted.

"How are you doing, Becky?" I asked with concern in my voice.

"I'll be all right. That took a lot out of me. Trying to bend his will to mine took a lot of concentration and focus. I need a drink." She rested her head on her hands on the table in front of her.

"No drinks until they're done in there," I told her as I sat across from her. "Here, have some water."

I poured a glass full of the cold clear liquid and pushed it over to Becky. She reached out and took the glass as she lifted her head off the table. She drank deeply, emptying the glass and slamming it down on the table.

"Too fucking Empire!" she shouted as she collapsed in her chair sliding down to the floor before I could get to her. I quickly moved to her side to see if she was all right. She looked all right, at least she hadn't hurt herself on the way to the floor, so I hoped she was all right. I moved to the door and threw it open. A marine guard was standing across the hall guarding the room with Alabaster in it.

"We need a corpsman in here, get one," I commanded. He turned to the com-panel on the wall beside him, and called for a med team, then assumed his original position. I ducked back into the Captain's quarters and waited for the med team.

They were there within minutes that to me seemed like hours.

"What happened?" the Doctor asked.

"Uh, that would be classified, Doc. But I can tell you she was under a lot of mental strain for about thirty minutes before she passed out." I couldn't tell him what she had been doing, but he could infer whatever he wanted from my answer.

"Okay. We'll take her to sickbay. If the Captain needs her anymore, you tell him I said stuff it. Got it, Chief?"

"Aye, sir." I snapped to attention.

The med team placed Becky on a stretcher and carried her out and down the passageway. I plopped down in a chair, leaving the door open, staring across at the door across from where I sat.

The Captain came out a short while later, stepping into his quarters with me. I started to get up as protocol required, but he waved me back down. He pulled up another chair and sat across from me.